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Vani | CPA Tax Coach
Helping Small Business Owners and Freelancers Keep More of What They Earn Through Better Tax Planning and Bookkeeping
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New Business Checklist: Bookkeeping, Tax, and State Compliance Requirements Every Business Owner Should Know
Starting a business is exciting, but it comes with real financial responsibilities. This guide walks new business owners through bookkeeping setup, EINs, state tax registration, sales tax, payroll, estimated tax deadlines, and how much to set aside for taxes — so you can start off on solid financial footing.

Vani Murthy
Jul 1611 min read


Is an S Corp Right for Your Business? When the Election Actually Pays Off
An S Corp can be one of the strongest tax-saving structures available to a small business — cutting self-employment tax, boosting retirement contributions, and letting the business pay your health insurance. Here's how to know if it's the right move, and what it actually takes to maintain

Vani Murthy
Jul 811 min read


Why Reconciling Bank Accounts Every Month Matters
Reconciling your bank statements isn't just another bookkeeping task—it's how you catch errors, prevent costly mistakes, and ensure your financial reports are accurate. One of the most common bookkeeping issues I see is small business owners waiting until tax season to reconcile their bank accounts. By then, missing transactions and bookkeeping errors often require hours of cleanup that could have been avoided with monthly reconciliations. In this article, you'll learn how mo

Vani Murthy
Jun 296 min read


Why Filing a Tax Extension Makes Sense When Your Books Aren't Ready (Form 1065 & S-Corp Returns)
Books not ready? Filing a tax extension for your 1065 or S-Corp return is free, common, and won't raise your audit risk. Here's what you need to know.

Vani Murthy
Jun 266 min read


Stop Uploading Receipts Into QuickBooks — Read This First
Think uploading every receipt is good bookkeeping? Think again. One of the most common mistakes freelancers and small business owners make is creating duplicate expenses by entering receipts for transactions that are already imported through their bank feed. Learn how to manage receipts the right way, keep your books accurate, and avoid costly cleanup at tax time.

Vani Murthy
Jun 187 min read


Safe Harbor vs. Quarterly Taxes: Which Method Is Better for Freelancers and Independent Contractors?
Many freelancers assume they must calculate quarterly taxes perfectly every quarter. The IRS offers another option called the Safe Harbor Rule, which can help self-employed individuals avoid penalties while simplifying tax planning. Learn the key differences between Safe Harbor and Quarterly Estimated Taxes, the pros and cons of each approach, and how to choose the method that best fits your income and cash flow.

Vani Murthy
Jun 167 min read


Why Your Profit Doesn't Match Your Bank Balance
If my business made money, why doesn't my bank account reflect it?" The answer usually comes down to understanding the difference between profit, taxes, and cash flow.

Vani Murthy
Jun 169 min read


Stop Drowning in Receipts: 5 Simple Bookkeeping Steps That Actually Work
Running a business means wearing a lot of hats — but drowning in receipts shouldn't be one of them. In this post, Vani, CPA walks you through 5 simple bookkeeping steps to take your finances from chaotic to crystal clear. No accounting degree required.

Vani Murthy
Jun 167 min read


The #1 Money Mistake Arizona Small Business Owners Make—and How to Fix It
Mixing your personal and business money seems harmless at first — until tax season hits and nobody can figure out what's what. Here's the simple, no-stress guide to getting your finances separated the right way.

Vani Murthy
Jun 167 min read


Stop Leaving Money on the Table: Tax Deductions Every Freelancer Needs to Know
What if the drive you took to meet a client last week, the desk you're sitting at right now, and the phone in your hand — all of that could be a tax deduction? As a CPA, I see business owners leave thousands of dollars on the table every tax season — not because they did anything wrong, but because nobody ever showed them the rules. In this post, I'm breaking down three deductions every freelancer and small business owner should be claiming.

Vani Murthy
Jun 166 min read


I'm a CPA — Here's the Simplest Way to Handle Quarterly Estimated Taxes
A CPA breaks down quarterly estimated taxes with real numbers — including self-employment tax, payment due dates, the safe harbor rule, and how much to save from every paycheck. No jargon, just the formula.

Vani Murthy
Jun 169 min read
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